The Inca civilization, which flourished in the Andes of South America from the early 15th century until the Spanish conquest in the mid-16th century, left behind an impressive legacy of art and architecture. Here's an overview of Inca art:

1. Architecture:

• Machu Picchu: This famous site epitomizes Inca architectural expertise. The city is known for its polished dry-stone construction, where stones are cut to fit together without mortar.
• Sacsayhuamán: A walled complex near the former Inca capital of Cusco, it showcases the Incas' ability to fit massive stones together with extreme precision.
• Terracing: The Incas were masters of agricultural terracing, creating flat fields on mountain slopes. These terraces not only had agricultural purposes but also had aesthetic and symbolic significances.

2. Ceramics:

• Inca ceramics were often functional but adorned with intricate designs. They typically used geometric patterns, but also included depictions of humans, animals, and gods.
• Aryballos: These were rounded or bulb-shaped vessels with a narrow neck used to carry liquids, often made with handles shaped like animals or humans.

3. Textiles:

• Textiles were an essential art form for the Incas. They used camelid fibers, such as from alpacas and llamas, and wove intricate patterns into their fabrics.
• The designs could be geometric or depict scenes from everyday life, mythology, or nature.
• Textiles held both utilitarian and symbolic importance and were often used in rituals and as tribute.

4. Metalwork:

• The Incas were skilled metalworkers, crafting objects from gold, silver, and bronze. Gold and silver were considered the sweat of the sun and tears of the moon, respectively, and held religious significance.
• While many gold artifacts were melted down by the Spanish conquerors, some pieces, like ceremonial knives (tumi) and masks, still remain.

5. Stone Carvings:

• The Incas carved stones for various purposes, including religious, ceremonial, and decorative. Examples include the Intihuatana stone (a ritual stone associated with astronomy) at Machu Picchu and various carved rocks at other sacred sites.

6. Iconography and Symbols:

• The Inca art was rich in symbolism, with certain motifs recurring. For instance, the condor, puma, and snake represented the upper world, the earthly realm, and the underworld, respectively.
• The chakana, or Andean cross, is a stepped cross representing the three levels of existence and is still a significant symbol in Andean culture.

7. Quipus:

• Not "art" in the traditional sense, quipus were a system of knotted cords used for record-keeping and possibly for other forms of communication. The different knot types and their positions might have conveyed various meanings.

Inca art, deeply intertwined with their religious beliefs, daily life, and natural environment, provides valuable insights into the civilization's societal structures, beliefs, and practices. Despite the many artifacts lost during the Spanish conquest, the surviving pieces and monumental architectural achievements stand as a testament to the Inca's artistic brilliance and innovative spirit.